Was He the Man?

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10225, 29 April 1911, Page 2

Was He the Man?

OUR SERIAL.

BY F. I- DACRE,

Author of "A Phantom of the Past," "Tronholme's Trust," "The Doctor's Secret," "A Loveless Marriage," "Sir John's Heiress," etc.

CHAPTER XXll.—Continued. Apparently the draft had the desired effect for no one would have taken Denver that night for a man who was practically on trial for his life. Ho chatted gaily with the colonel and myself over old times, and discussed hypnotism and clairvoyance until ho nuule Kenton's hypnotic influence theory seem absurd. At half-past eleven the colonel took his leave. After he left, Denver said to me: "Now, I am going to ask you to trust me as far as the hotel. I have uot had a change of clothing, for three day-;, and there are 'some things in my satcte I that 1 want to place m Morton's hands before the examination fo-morrow. if you don't want to lose sight of me, you know, you can come with me." "My dear fellow," I replied, it 1 thought you were in. earnest I-should say that you were trying to insult me. Of course, ypu are as free as the air, but hurry back again, for I want another chat with you before we turn

"All right; I shan't be more, than an hour, and that will leave us time for another smoke. I haven't thanked you-properly yet for all your kindness to me." . "Oh, iovget it," I replied, laying my hand, on his shoulder. "It is for me to ask your pardon for my horrible mistake. Now off you go, and get back as quickly as you can." Without another word he wrung ray hand, and left the rooui. When he had gone, I lit. a fresh cigar, and sat down to think over the ©vents of the day. Point by point I weat over the evidence until I was utterly bewildered by the conflict of testimony. Not that I wavered for a moment in my faith in Denver. Colonel Hawtrey's instant recognition of him, and the proof that he had given by becoming bail would have settled my doubts, if I had had any left. The clockstruck twelve, and roused me from my meditations. "Time Denver was back," I said to myself. ' Looking up, I saw my whisky and seltzer on the table beside me, and, taking up the tumbler, I said, "Here's to his acquittal and speedy freedom," "and drank it all. In a few minutes an irresistible drowsiness came over me, my head fell back against the cushion of my chair, and presently I was asleep.

iher Major Itenver had been fcher« the night before, and was told that he had called, and taken away a satchel. The hotel porter who put it in the cab had heard him tell the driver to come to my address. This was all the information I could gain, as the number of the cab had not been taken. My suspicions had been cetnnrmed, and with a heavy heart I drove to Bow Street. Fitzgerald had escaped, and mine was. the hand that had set him at liberty. It was. a little after ten when I arrived at the court. Mr L&tchfordBrown and Fenton were- with the magistrate in his room, whither I was at once taken by the usher. When I entered Mr Latchford-Brown was saying; "Of course, the man's having broken his bail relieves me from all responsibility for his defence. I must confess that this act qf his condemns Mm." "Here is Mr Grey,", said Fenton. "Well, what tidings of Denver?" "Of Fitzgerald, you mean," I replied, as we shook hands. "You were right about the hypnotic influence, after all. The scoundrel asked me to let him go to the hotel at Paddington for a satchel,and I consented, believing that he was innocent, and would come back. Meanwhile, he had drugged my whisky, and I slept in my chair from half-past eleven until halfpast eight this morning. I have been to the hotel, and they tell mo that ho called about twelve, and took away a satchel, directing the cabman to drive back to my rooms. That is all I know of the matter." The magistrate looked very grave when I had finished, and said: "This is a most unfortunate affair, gentlemen. I fear we have let a most audacious criminal slip through our fingers, though I frankly confess that I believed him innocent myself. I must go into court now. The case shall bo formally called after lunch,"

CHAPTER XXIII

WHERE IS DENVER?

II awoka shivering, and in darkness, and wondering where I was. My mouth was dry, and my head was aching from my brows to the back of my neck; and for several minutes I sat blinking in the darkness, undecided whether I should wake up altogether, or go to sleep again. Suddenly, like lightning through darkness, the thought flashed through my torpor, "Where is Denver?" I sprang to my reet, struck a m»fcch. and looked at,the clock. It was nearly half-past eight. Was it day or night ? And wliat had happened that I was not in bed as usual? I went to the window, drew back the heavy curtains, and opened the blinds; it was broad daylignt. I had slept all night —some nine hours —in my chair. And Denver—where was he? I strode to my bedroom door and knocked. No answer. I opened it and went in. There was no one there, and the bed had not ben slept in. Bewilderment now began *o give place to a horrible apprehension What if my guest of last night had not been Deive.-, but Denver's murderer —the mar. whooi I had solemnly sworn 1 to bant dow-i and deliver to justice? If so, how had I come to do all that I couid to shield him ? If he was the real Denver, why had he broken his word, and not eome back? An acident? A dozen things might; have happened to prevent his,, return. But I would soon be f*ire. I rang for my servant, aad told him tq bring, my coffee at once. A cold bath greatly relieved the headache, and,by the time I had drunk a cup of coffee my brain was comparatively kilear. ■ . ,' On rising from the table I noticed the glasses that had been used the night before still standing on the . sideboard. I took up the one I had used, and smelt, it. There was no • odour, but there were a few drops of liquid still at the bottom of the glass. I drank thern, and the next moment . a ..peculiar sensation in the stomaqh told me that I had drank morphine. In an instant the truth rushed upon me. I had become bail for the murderer of my friend* and he had drugged me and broken Ids bail! He . had nearly ten hours' start. Where was he now? . I dashedoff three telegrams, one to Colonel Hawtrey, one to Mr Latch-ford-Brown, and one to Bow Street; then called a cab and drove to the ~,-: h otel,at Paddington. While I rattled • through the streets I could not help , noticing that although the effects of >' what had probably been a heavy dose ■'•■ of morphine still clung to me, my faculties Avere clearer and more vigorous , .than they had been, since my first 'visit to Half Moon Street. ' I was once more alert, self-reliant, and acting on my own initiative. There must have been something in Eenton's hypnotic theory, after all. Arrived at the hotel I inquired whe-

Half an hour later Colonel Hawtrey, who had arrived at the courtroom after I did, and myself were sitting in Fenton's rooms in the Temple, discussing the latest development of the now famous Denver case.

I never saw anyone so completely mystified as was the Colonel. He was in total ignorance of the whole story of the double's existence and his career in crime, save what he had picked up during the examination on the day before. He would have' sworn most positively that the accused was Major Denver, if he had the chance. As soon as I could get a word in, I asked Fenton to, tell; me the nature of the evidence that he was to have produced that day, and which Fitzgerald i had been manifestly afraid to face. "It's too long a story to toll now," he said, in reply, "and it is too cmous to spoil by condensation." "But," I objected, "the man has escaped, and may never give us the I chance of catching him again. After such a narrow squeak he will hide pretty effectually till he can get away. te South America, or Mexico,' I fancy."

'ln my opinion," rejoined Fenton, quietly, "the man has not by. any means escaped." "What do you mean: 1 " '[ asked. "Simply this: You noticed that Morel was not in court this morning, though his two French witnesses were. The explanation of his absence is this : He was furiows when bail was allowed, and swore that Fitzgerald would be missing before morning. He would follow Fitzgerald to the ends of the earth rather than lose him' again. He left us when you drove away from the court, amd I have no doubt that, wherever Fitzgerald may be at the present moment, Morel is not far from the spot." We remained talking over the chances of recapture, till lunch time We then returned to Bow Street, and while we were' waiting for the ease * a be called a telegram was handed 10 Fenton, by one of the officers. He tore it open, read it rapidly, and then handed it to me, saying: "Even better than I expected. The fellow must have been mad to risk it!" r ~ ■ i I took the telegram and read: "Calais, 1 p.m. Followed; Fitzgerald by 8.20 express to Dover. Thence here, where I arrested him. Send back witnesses and all his luggage from hotel. "MOREL." I Before I could say anything the' magistrate entered the room and took his seat. Fenton at once handed the telegram to him. When he had read , it, he said: "That disposes of the case so far as we are concerned, and I am glad to say that it also relieves me of the very unpleasant necessity of estreating the bail. Gentlemen, your further attendance may now be dispense:! with." We bowed, and returned to Fenton's room to discuss our next movements. (To he ContinnedV